Tree Story: Describe a tree at your home, in your neighborhood, at your school, or around Norman, and construct a narrative from the point of view of the tree. The story should incorporate observations on the surrounding environmental influences on the tree. Examples include but are not limited to construction around the tree, wildlife, competition for light and nutrients from other trees, environmental hazards, insect infestations, or evidence of storm or fire damage. Tree Art: Include an original piece of art inspired by your tree story. Art can be in any form like photography, painting, or drawing. Sculptures are accepted but will judged from the uploaded image.

Submissions due 1/31/2024. Open to all Norman-area 4th-8th graders. Learn more at Normanparks.com.

In July 2015, the City hired Meshek and Associates to perform an analysis of flooding issues reported by the residents of The Vineyard Addition. This included a review of the previous drainage reports and studies that were available. Additional detailed modeling was done to determine if any structural changes could be made that would reduce the risk of flooding in this area. Meshek and Associates provided plans for this project to reduce the flood risk by expanding and re-grading the existing detention pond to increase the stormwater storage. The existing sidewalk will be shifted several feet to the north to allow the pond to be expanded. The dam on the eastern boundary of the pond will be raised approximately five feet above existing grade to provide additional stormwater storage. Any water from the spillway will be conveyed across a new 7.5-foot wide flume into a tributary of Woodcrest Creek east of the new pond. The vertical wall on either side of the flume will vary in height along the length of the channel but will provide at least two feet of depth for stormwater storage and conveyance. This flume will also serve as a sidewalk for the residents in the area. The existing discharge pipe will be upsized to address the modified flow.